Police Eye Federal Grant for Mini-Caliber Tactical Robot
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore, March 22, 2024 – The Northern Oregon Regional Tactical Response Team (NORTAC) is in the process of applying for a $69,720 federal grant from Homeland Security to acquire an ICOR Mini Caliber Tactical Robot to improve counter-terrorism and emergency response capabilities in the Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam County area.
Police responding to an active shooter call in Hood River in February of 2023. Photo: Tom Peterson.
The lightweight portable and remote controlled robot is designed to remotely gather intelligence during hostage situations and bomb threats. The robot has been tested and recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).
It comes equipped with a camera, a flashlight, water disruptor cannon, and an extendible rotating claw arm. The robot can open doors, search rooms, climb stairs, deliver packages and fire the water disruptor to destroy explosive devices.
Several law enforcement agencies including: Hood River and The Dalles City Police, Waco County Sherman County, Gilliam County and Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Portland Bureau of Police, and Oregon State Police have signed letters of support for the grant.
NORTAC said the robot will help reduce rapid emergency response time, enhance safety for responders, improve tactical decision making, protect local assets, support secure learning environments, empower the community, and pioneer new safety standards.
”NORTAC's status as the sole domestic tactical response asset underscores the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology like the ICOR MINI-Caliber in rural counter-terrorism efforts,” reads the grant application.
It was a real world situation in 2023 that prompted NORTAC to seek out a mini-caliber robot of their own.
In February of 2023 an incident occurred in Hood River in which a veteran, experiencing a mental health crisis, discharged firearms around his residence.
Police responding to an active shooter call in February 2023 in Hood River, Oregon. Photo: Tom Peterson
“In the above mentioned incident, the absence of a specialized tactical robot, particularly the ICOR Mini Caliber, prior to the arrival of Clackamas County SWAT and the Portland Bomb Squad, highlighted a significant gap in response,” reads the application.
The application further detailed how the robot, deployed by Clackamas County SWAT and the Portland Bomb Squad provided critical intelligence to police response which eventually resulted in the safe and successful apprehending the suspect.
To watch the robot in action watch the video below.
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